A sweet forecast for this year’s state apple crop

Thanks to abundant sunshine, apple growers across the state say they are expecting apples and cider that will have higher sugar levels, making them sweeter.

“Sunny weather means sweeter fruit, and happy apple eaters,” said Jim Allen, president of the New York Apple Association. “Consumers are going to be delighted with our quality this year.”

The harvest is predicted to be close to last year’s 30.3 million bushels. That’s down from 32.8 million bushels in 2009, but igher than the 29.8 million bushels harvested in 2008.

New York state ranks second in apple production behind Washington state.

Consumers in the lower Hudson Valley could see the first apples of the season in the next two weeks, with early varieties such as Jersey Mac and Tydeman. Ginger Gold and Paula Red will ripen in late August, followed by McIntosh beginning in early September throughout most of the state. Lake Champlain fruit will be harvested a little later, the apple association said.